Firmness control for mattress



Oct. 20, 1964 M. N. JANAPOL 3,153,249

FIRMNEISS CONTROL FOR MATTRESS Filed June 12, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 1.

INVENTOR. /0 N54 w/v y/4% fauna? I AGENT Oct. 20, 1964 JANAPOL 3,153,249

FIRMNESS CONTROL FOR MATTRESS Filed June 12, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

/7Hl //V /V. \Z I/VAPOL BY WKm United States Patent 3,153,249 FIRMNESS CGNTRGL FOR MATTRESS Melvin N. .lanapol, Los Angeles, Calif assignor to Wortso Corporation, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Filed June 12, 1961, Ser. No. 116,489 12 Claims. (Cl. -239) This invention related to mattresses or beds of the type wherein firmness is variable and adapted to be manually adjusted, it being a general object of this invention to provide an improved control that is operable to so adjust a variable firmness mattress and/or box spring construction.

Heretofore, there have been attempts directed toward variable firmness in mattress constructions and the like, but. the prior art is characterized by complicated and/or overly expensive devices. For example, heavy frameworks are resorted to with cumbersome screw-jack lifts. Further, it is usual to provide more than one lifting unit, and in cases where one such unit is employed there must be stabilizing means, etc. In applicants co-pending application Serial No. 823,479, filed June 29, 1959, and now abandoned, there is disclosed an arrangement characterized by a plurality of lifting means in order to distribute the lifting forces.

There are several general problems to be considered: simplicity and economy of manufacture; operability and reliability; and facility and practicability of use. The prior art structures have not proven to have these necessary requirements, and as a result there has yet to be a commercial exploitation of an adjustable firmness mattress, or the like.

An object of this invention is to provide a simple manually operable control for an adjustable firmness bed or mattress wherein a movable platen is adjustably elevated beneath a set of springs to selectively tension them. With the structure that I provide a single elevating means is related to the platen whereby a mattress of considerable area is controlled to vary its firmness, By providing a single elevating means and without sacrificing simplicity of construction, an economical and commercially attractive product is feasible.

Another object of this invention is to provide a reliable control for an adjustable firmness bed or mattress oper-- able to elevate a movable platen beneath a set of springs to selectively tension them. With the structure hereinafter disclosed, there is a single operating lever and said lever governs the action of the single elevating unit which is placed most conveniently for manual actuation.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a device of the character referred to that is easy to operate. With the device that I provide and which has two automatically controlled directions of movement, up and down, it is merely necessary to actuate the operating lever which is simply depressed by foot pressure. The mechanism provided is a ratchet type mechanism to be oscillated by the foot of the person actuating the same, whereby the body weight of the said person can be utilized to greatest advantage.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the. following detailed description of the typical preferred form and application of my invention, throughout which description reference is made tothe accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bed or mattress embodying the features of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of a portion of the structure and taken as indicated by line 22 on FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the frame of the bed or mattress shown in FIG. 1, illustrating it apart from the assembled construction. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of 3,153,249 Patented Oct. 20, 1964 the platen that is involved in the bed or mattress construction that I provide and showing it separately from the assembled construction. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the elevating means that I provide in the bed or mattress construction of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an enlarged detailed view of the lifting unit that I provide and showing it to be operated upwardly and taken as indicated by line 66 on FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, showing the same unit to be operated downwardly. FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken as indicated by line 88 on FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken as indicated by line 99 on FIG. 7. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of one of the parts shown throughout FIGS. 6 through 9, and FIG. 11 is a detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 11-11 on FIG. 7.

In FIG. 1 of the drawings I have shown a bed or mattress embodying the features of the present invention and which involves a frame A supported by legs 10, and also means M for adjusting the firmness of the mattress. In FIG. 2 a typical and general cross sectional configuration of parts and elements is illustrated and which involves said frame A and the elements that are cooperatively related to each other in accordance with the invention. As shown, the bed or mattress involves, generally, the frame A, a pad B, a cover C, compression means D, height limiting means E, a shiftable platen F, and an elevating or firmness control means G for the platen F. The said elements and mean A through G are cooperatively related in a single unit of construction wherein the firmness of the pad B is variable through operation of the firmness control means G.

The frame A is separately illustratedin FIG. 3 of the drawings and provides a base or support upon which to build the bed or mattress unit. The frame A can vary widely in shape and detail of construction and is shown as a simple rectangular element with pairs of parallel rails 11, 12, 13 and 14. The rails 11 and 12 are side rails, while the rails 13 and 14 are end rails, said rails being joined at right angle corners. In practice, the rails are straight elongate parts arranged in vertically disposed planes, the side rails having opposed faces 11' and 12'. The legs 10 carry the frame A at each of the four corners thereof, said legs being fastened to suitable corner blocks or braces 15. Further, the frame has a bottom, preferably a slatted bottom, composed of slats 16. As shown, the slats 16 extend transversely between the side rails 11 and 12 and parallel with each other, and they are secured to the lower edges of said rails.

The pad B, as illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings, provides a cushion for supporting a person upon the bed or mattress. The pad B can vary widely in shape and composition and is shown as a simple rectangular element that is coextensive with and overlies the frame A. In carrying out the invention the pad B can be composed of any suitable combination of vegetable and/or animal fihers, or of any suitable synthetic material that is relatively soft and resilient. For example, a heavy thickness of cotton batting 17 can be employed and having normally flat and parallel top and bottom faces 18 and 19.

The cover C, as illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings, protects the pad B and other elements of the construction involved and involves a top panel 20 and depending side panels 21, 22, 23 and 24 of suitable fabric, such as, for example, ticking. The top panel 20 is coextensive'with an overlies the pad B and is joined to the panels 21 through 24 by a corner bead construction indicated at 25.

The compression means D is illustrated generally in FIG. 2 and provides the resilient firmness of the bed or mattress. The said means D can take varied forms and is preferably a set of compression spring coils 30, as indicated, or it may bea pad or pillow formed of a compressible body of material, for example, of foam rubber or like synthetic material. In the case illustrated, there is a plurality of adjacently related spring coils 30, said coils 30 being helically wound in the usual manner and vertically disposed. The said spring coils can be tied together in the usual manner and also tied to a rod 31 that encompasses the upper ends of the spring coils 30 to establish the margins of the bed or mattress. As shown, the rod 31 is aligned with the frame A by means of guide springs 32 that operate between the rod and the rails of the frame. The springs 32 have arms pivotally connected to the rod 31 and rails 11 through 14, respectively, said arms being biased apart and acting to stabilize side motion. As is common practice, the pad B is retained in working position by securing the cover C to the rod 31, as by fastening the bead construction at to thesaid rod 31. Further, a corner pad 33 can be incorporated in the bead construction at 25 to adequately cover and protect the rod 31.

The height limiting means E is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 and is such as to prevent movement of the compression means D above a set predetermined elevation and such as to allow for movement and free depression of the means D. That is, the means E limits movement of the means D in an upward direction only with consequent levelling elfect upon the rod 31 and upon the upper ends of the spring coils 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the means E involves stops 35 and 35'. The said stops can vary widely in method of construction and the stops 35 are preferably rods of predetermined length, while the stops 35' are preferably side-drops of predetermined length.

The rod-shaped stops 35 are straight elongate parts that depend from the upper ends of the spring coils where they are connected to the ends of the coils, or to the tying means that joins the adjacent coils, as shown. In carrying out the invention, the lower end portions of the stops project through guide openings 36 in the transverse frame members or bed slats 16. The lower terminal end of each stop 35 has a foot 37 that engages beneath the slat guiding the said stop, thereby limiting upward movement only and fixing a predetermined height to which the spring coils 30 and pad B and cover C can be extended.

The drop-shaped stops 35 are flexible parts that extend between the rod 31 at the marginal portions of the structure and the side rails of the frame A. The said stops 35' can be in the form of spaced apart straps or as shown in the form of a continuous flap that depends from the head construction at 25. In practice, the stop 35' is a drop-shaped flap of material that depends from the bead construction, said drop encompassing the compression means D to house the same and fastened to the upper edge portion of the frame rails 11 through 14, as shown.

It will be apparent that the structure thus far described involves elements presenting a cushioning pad that is elevated to a predetermined limit and stopped by the stops 35 and 35' of the limiting means E. Further, the spring coils 30 of the compression means D are completely enclosed and further, the frame is enclosed by the curtain parts 21 through 24 of the cover C.

In accordance with the invention, I provide the shiftable platen F that is illustrated separately in FIG. 4 of the drawings. The platen F is a movable part that is elevated and lowered within the frame A to adjustably position the lower ends of the spring coils 30. The platen F can be suitably guided by the frame A or it can be guided as by the parts and elements of the elevating means G, as later described. The said platen F can vary widely in construction and is a plate-like element that is coextensive with and underlies the compression means D, and in the particular case illustrated it underlies the set of spring coils 30.' As shown, the platen can also be frame-like in construction and composed of side parts 40, end parts 41, transverse slats 42 and suitable braces 43. In any case, the platen F overlies the bottom of the frame A or it occurs within the rails of the frame and is adapted to move vertically upwardly and downwardly.

In accordance with the invention, the elevating or firmness control means G is adapted to shift the platen F vertically, upwardly and downwardly within the frame A, and

automatically position the platen as circumstances require. The said means G is automatic in the sense that it reverses the direction of movement by its own rule of action and all without operation of any control. As best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5 of the drawings, the firmness control means G involves a plurality of lifting cranks 50 coupled for movement together by a link 55 and a single elevating unit 69. The plurality of lifting cranks 50 are spaced in order to distribute lifting loads throughout the area of the mattress and they act evenly to raise and lower the platen F. In the particular case illustrated, there are two spaced parallel cranks 50, equally positioned beneath the foot area and head area of the mattress. It is to be understood, however, that any number of cranks can be employed, even one crank 50, but it is to advantage in a mattress of large area to employ two or more cranks 50.

The lifting cranks 50 characterize the present invention and each spans the frame A on artransverse axis. That is, the turning axis of each crank 50 is transversely disposed and the axes of the several cranks are parallel and spaced longitudinally of the frame, as shown. Referring now to but one crank 50, it involves transversely spaced oppositely projecting pivots 51, at opposite sides of the frame A. Said pivots 51 are coaxial with each other and they have rotational engagement in supporting bearings 52 carried by the side rails 11 and 12. Bearings 52 are preferably .in the form of angle plates, as shown, screw-fastened to the side rails at the inner faces 11 and 12' thereof. Each crank 59 has a pair of spaced and parallel lever arms 53 that extend radially from the pivots 51, respectively, said arms 53 being of equal length and joined by a tie bar 54. As clearly shown, the elements 51, 53, and 54 are integrally formed of a single bar of material, to the end that the opposite ends of the crank rotate together, maintaining the bar 54 horizontally disposed.

A normal down or relaxed position of the cranks 50 is shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings, in which case the lever arms 53 are substantially horizontal and with the bars 54 lowered. A partially raised position is shown in FIG. 2. In any case, each lifting crank 50 is provided with an operating arm 56 to be moved by the link 55 that extends between them. The bars 54 have rollers for engagement with bottom rails on the platen F. The link 55 is a straight link part pivotally connected at its ends to the two arms 56, and it operates under tension. As shown, the pivotal connections of the arms 56 and link 55 are spaced above the pivots 51 when the said arms are horizontal, to the end that a bell-crank formation is established whereby horizontal shifting of the link 55 results in perpendicular movement of the bars 54 as they swing about the pivots 51.

The elevating unit 60 involves, generally, a mounting plate 65, a ratchet 70, a holding pawl 75, a lifting pawl 80, a control means 85, and a retractable lever means 90.

The said unit 60 may be said to be automatic in that the carries the various working parts and elements of the unit 60. A cover 66 may enclose the working parts, if so desired.

The ratchet 70 is a movable part adapted to be oscillated, such as to turn or reciprocate. In the preferred form of the invention, the ratchet 70 is a bar-shaped element mounted on the plate 65 by guide rollers 67 and adapted to reciprocate horizontally and longitudinally of the frame A. The bar-shaped ratchet 70 is characterized by teeth 71 along its lower edge, said teeth being inclined to face in a direction toward the connection with the drag link 57. Further, laterally disposed lugs 72 and 73 project from the side of the ratchet 7! said lugs being spaced apart, as shown, to shift the control means 85, as later described.

The holding pawl 75 is a pivoted member that is carried by the mounting plate 65 and it is pointed toward the teeth 71. That is, the pawl is shaped and positioned to oppose the teeth and so as to engage the sides of the teeth that face toward the connection with the drag link 57. The pawl 75 is an elongate part that operates in a substantially horizontal position, more or less parallel with the ratchet 70. One end of the pawl 75 is sharpened to the configuration of the teeth to be engaged thereby, and the other end is pivoted to the plate 65 at 76. Thus, gravity operates to draw the free swinging and sharpened end of the pawl away from the teeth on the ratchet. However, the teeth are hooked, or slanted, so that when pressure is applied through the teeth and pawl by pulling the ratchet 70 at the connected end, then the pawl 75 remains engaged with said teeth to stop movement of the ratchet.

The lifting pawl St? is also a pivoted member but it is carried by the lever means 90 to be operable by manual actuation to engage and move the ratchet 7d. The pawl 80 is also pointed toward the teeth 71 and it is shaped and positioned to oppose the teeth and so as to engage the sides of the teeth that face toward the connection with the drag link 57. The pawl 80 is an elongate part that underlies the pawl 75 in a susbtantially horizontal position and normally spaced somewhat from the first mentioned pawl, to allow said first mentioned pawl to drop by gravity from engagement with the ratchet teeth. One end of the pawl 80 is sharpened to the configuration of the teeth to be engaged thereby, and the other end is pivoted at 81 to a transfer lever of the means 90, later described. Thus, gravity operates to draw the free swinging and sharpened end of the pawl away from the teeth on the ratchet. Again, the teeth 71 are hooked by pawl 75 so as to prevent disengagement during the operation when pressure is applied to move the ratchet 89.

The control means 35 involves the two lugs 72 and 73 that project from the ratchet and a lever 36 held in two extreme positions by a pressure plate (57. As shown, the lever 86 is positioned alongside the ratchet 7t! and it has 'an upstanding leg that is intercepted and engaged by each of the lugs 72 and 73. The lever 86 also has a longitudinally extending leg that terminates alongside and intermediate the pointed ends of the two pawls 75 and 80. A coupler 88, preferably in the form of a tension spring, extends between the end portions of the two pawls, and said coupler 88 extends over a laterally projection tongue 89 at the terminal end of the lever 86. When the upstanding leg of the lever is engaged by the lug 72 it is rotated to the position shown in FIG. 7, whereby the coupler S8 is relaxed and so that the pawl 75 is operated by means of gravity only. When the upstanding leg of the lever is engaged by the lug '73 it is rotated to the position shown in FIG. 6, whereby the coupler 88 is tensioned so that the pawl 75 is lifted so as to be held engaged with the racthet when the pawl 86 is retracted therefrom.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings, the pawls 75 and 8t underlie the ratchet 70 and the pawl 80 is pivoted at 81 beneath the pawl 75 and is inclined upwardly to engage the said ratchet. Thus, the pwal 7 5 can drop by gravity into engagement with the pawl 80, about midway of the pawl 80 as shown. With the structure disposed as shown in FIG. 7 the pawl is held to the ratchet 70 until the pawl is moved by depressing lever at the pedal 95, whereupon the pawl 75 drops by gravity to rest upon the pawl 80. Pedal is then released, whereupon the pawl 8t moves back to its original unactuated position and in doing so lifts the pawl 75 into re-engagement with the ratchet 70, due to the inclined engagement therewith. Since re-engagement of the pawl 75 requires this backward movement of pawl 80, the next successive tooth is engaged by said pawl 75 whereby the ratchet 70 is reversed one step at a time.

In order to hold the lever 86 positioned, alternately, as above described, the pressure plate 87 is provided and which operates as a friction clutch to secure the lever 86 in said two extreme positions. The plate 87 overlies the central or hub portion of the lever 86 and is urged into pressured engagement therewith by means of a spring 79. The said plate 87 is carried on the pivot of the lever 86 and is keyed against rotation by a tongue 78 struck from the base plate 65 and which engages in a slot in one end of the plate 87. In practice, one or more detents 89 are provided to insure positive retention of the lever 86 in the said two positions.

The operating lever means 90 is retractable and involves an actuating lever 91 and a transfer lever 92'. The said transfer lever 92 is fixedly positioned in that it is pivoted to the base pla.e 65 at 93, and it has two ends, one end that carries the pivot at 81 and the other end that carries a roller 94. The lever 92 is a rocker that is moved by engagement of the lever 91 therewith, through the roller 94. The actuating lever 91 is shiftably guided longitudinally of the plate 65, to be moved between the positions shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. In the extended position, shown in FIG. 6, the pedal portion 95 of the lever 91 is depressible by foot pressure against a lifting spring 96. The lever 91 has a releaseable fulcrum established by a J-slot 97 in the plate 65 and by a pin 98 projecting laterally from the end portion of the lever. The slot 97 is horizontal and is open to receive the pin 98 when the lever 91 is pulled into position manually. As shown, the lever 91 rides on the roller 94 and is guided by the pivot at 93 and is additionally guided by a tongue 99 struck from the plate 65.

From the foregoing, actuation and operation of the lifting unit 60 will be apparent. As shown in FIG. 3, the single unit 60 is mounted at one side of the frame A with the pedal portion 95 projectingthrough an aperture provided in the frame A, and it is operable to elevate the entire platen F through operation of the lifting cranks 50. In order to operate the device it is merely necessary to pull the lever 91 into operating position with the portion 95 exposed for the application of foot pressure, to then actuate the same by applyingdownward foot pressure, and repeatedly until the desired firmness is established at the pad C. It will be apparent that the mechanism works step by step either to increase or decrease said firmness, and automatically without additional attention or control.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any modifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A control for a bed of the character described and having a frame, a shiftable platen carried within the frame anda spring and a pad overlying the frame and said platen, and including, a lifting crank comprising a single bar element rotatable on spaced pivots disposed on an axis extending across the frame and having spaced lever arms extending radially from each pivot and having a lifting bar extending between the said arms to underlie the platen for elevating the same, and means operable to position the crank.

2. A control for a bed of the character described and having a frame, a shiftable platen carried Within the frame and a spring and a pad overlying the frame and said platen, and including, a pair of lifting cranks and each comprising a single bar element rotatable on spaced pivots, the pivots of the pair of cranks being disposed on parallel axes extending across the frame, and each crank having spaced lever arms extending radially from each pivot and having a lifting bar extending between said lever arms and underlying the platen for elevating the same, a link operably connecting the pair of lifting cranks, and means operable to position the cranks.

3. A control for a bed of the character described and having a frame, a shiftable platen carried within the frame and a spring and a pad overlying the frame and said platen, and including, a pair of lifting cranks and each rotatable on spaced pivots, the pivots of the pair of cranks being disposed on parallel axes extending across the frame, and each crank having a lever arm at each pivot and underlying the platen to elevate the same, a tensioned link operably interconnecting the lever arms of the pair of lifting cranks, and means operable to shift the link and thereby position the cranks.

4. A control for a bed of the character described and having a frame, a shiftable platen carried within the frame and a spring and a pad overlying the frame and said platen, and including, a pair of lifting cranks and .each rotatable on spaced pivots, the pivots of the pair of cranks being disposed on parallel axes etxending across the frame, and each crank having spaced lever arms and one lever arm at each pivot, and a lifting bar extending between each pair of lever arms and underlying the platen to elevate the same, a tensioned link operably interconnecting the lever arms of the pair of lifting cranks, and means operable to shift the link and thereby position the cranks.

5. A control unit for selectively positioning a lifting means underlying a platen in a bed frame to adjustably tension springs underlying a pad, and including a ratchet means With a movable part to position the lifting means, and a manually operable lever means actuable to selectively shift the movable part.

6. -A control unit for selectively positioning a lifting means underlying a platen in a bed frame to adjustably tension springs underlying a pad, and including, a revers ibly shiftable ratchet part to position the lifting means, control means to reverse shifting of said part, and a manually operable lever means actuable to shift said part as governed by said control means.

7. A control unit for selectively positioning a lifting means underlying a platen in a bed frame to adjustably tension springs underlying a pad, and including, a reversibly shiftable ratchet part to position the lifting means, ratchet pawls to shift and hold the ratchet part, control means governing'action of said pawls to reverse shifting of said part, and a manually operable lever means actuable to shift said part as governed by said control positioned pawls. I

8. A control unit for selectively positioning a lifting means underlying a platen in a bed frame to adjustably tension springs underlying a pad, and including, a reversibly shiftable ratchet part to position the lifting means and having spaced lugs thereon, control means to reverse shifting of said part and operated by said spaced lugs, and a manually operable lever means actuable to shift said part as governed by said control means.

9. A control unit for selectively positioning a lifting means underlying a platen in a bed frame to adjustably tension springs underlying a pad,- and including, a reversibly shiftable ratchet part to position the lifting means and having spaced lugs thereon, ratchet pawls to shift and hold the ratchet part, control means governing action of said pawls to reverse shifting of said part and operated by said spaced lugs, and a manually operable lever means actuable to shift said part as governed by said control positioned pawls.

10. A control unit for selectively positioning a lifting means underlying a platen in a bed frame to adjustably tension springs'underlying a pad, and including, a ratchet means with a movable part to position the lifting means, and a manually operable lever means with a retractable pedal actuable to selectively shift the movable part.

11. A control unit for selectively positioning a lifting means underlying a platen in a bed frame to adjustably tension springs underlying a pad, and including, a reversibly shiftable ratchet part to position the lifting means, control means to reverse shifting of said part, and a manually operable lever means actuable to shift said part as governed by said control means and having a retractable pedal to operate the same.

12. A control unit for selectively positioning a lifting means underlying a platen in a bed frame to adjustably tension springs underlying a pad, and including a reversibly shiftable ratchet part to position the lifting means, ratchet pawls to shift and hold the ratchet part, control means governing action of said pawls to reverse shifting of said part, and a manually operable lever means actuahle to shift said part as governed by said control positioned pawls and having a retractable lever with a pedal portion engageable to operate the same.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. A CONTROL FOR A BED OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED AND HAVING A FRAME, A SHIFTABLE PLATEN CARRIED WITHIN THE FRAME AND A SPRING AND A PAD OVERLYING THE FRAME AND SAID PLATEN, AND INCLUDING, A LIFTING CRANK COMPRISING A SINGLE BAR ELEMENT ROTATABLE ON SPACED PIVOTS DISPOSED ON AN AXIS EXTENDING ACROSS THE FRAME AND HAVING SPACED LEVER ARMS EXTENDING RADIALLY FROM EACH PIVOT AND HAVING A 